Letters: May 3, 2019

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I NOTICE that Jeremy Hunt recently began his bid for the Tory leadership with an unexpected show of that oxymoron “Tory compassion,” by speaking out on behalf of all Christians being persecuted in many parts of the world.

Of course, we can expect sudden outbursts of so-called “compassion” by the bucketload in the coming weeks, as the race to replace Theresa May as Tory leader heats up.

All the contenders will, no doubt, express “concerns” about, and even “deplore,” the recent spate of executions and continued abuse of human rights in Saudi Arabia, but one thing is certain: none will threaten any “consequence,” such as, for instance, ending the sale of arms to the Saudi dictator to stop him continuing the destruction of Yemen (M Star April 24).

Tory leadership candidates will try to prove that they can win the next election, so they will have some explaining to do, particularly about Brexit and how their callous austerity policies were so financially necessary, even though taxes were cut for rich individuals and big business.

Hunt’s tactic is unlikely to be followed, he actually praised the “genius” of David Cameron for “persuading voters to accept cuts in public spending!”

One would have thought that knowledge of modern history would have prevented him from linking the Goebbelsian trick of repeating the same lie over and over until some acceptance is gained with his own party’s tactics. Mind you, as health secretary, he did claim that his new contract for junior doctors would bring a “sense of vocation and professionalism” back into the job.

Hunt is clearly not known as “Theresa in trousers” for nothing. Little better than “Rees-Mogg in the 21st century.” Bring on the next general election!BERNIE EVANSLiverpool

Multi-faith rebuild of Notre Dame has merit

I READ with interest John Eoin Douglas’s letter (M Star April 24) in which he outlined the potential to rebuild Notre Dame as a “multifaith centre for use by all.”

One only has to look at the recent atrocities committed in New Zealand and Sri Lanka to understand the need for greater cohesion and understanding in a world that is too often ravaged by religious division and misconception.

Time will tell whether the political establishment of France is ready to embrace John’s suggestion. If the new Notre Dame was to house everyone under one communal roof, it would stand even taller than its predecessor as a true beacon of togetherness.ANDREW KIDDGlasgow